I am writing to tell you that if I haven't been visiting your blog(s) as often as I used to it is not intentional. There are times that life gets in the way of our good intentions.
I don't have a post planned for today. Scratch that, oh wow a reference to cats. I did have a post I needed to feature today that has been moved to Monday due to a couple of major issues.
First, I have been experiencing significant computer malfunctioning episodes this week. Everything from a keyboard typing with a mind of it's own, runaway cursors, words being deleted or inserted without my having put them there, blue screens. Not pretty. After 5, (YES 5) frustrating hours with HP today the situation seems to finally have been resolved. My computer is fixed and a new laptop is being delivered in the next couple of days. If you blog, take my advice, be sure you have a back up computer! And...if you have a problem with HP and need tech support, listen my friends, ask for a supervisor right off the bat, if you are lucky, you will get Steve.
Second, I have a condition called Medullary Sponge Kidneys. You may read about it by clicking here. What this briefly translates to is I have 100s of kidney stones, all the time. I can go for long periods of time with no (or little) aggravation, and then...the bottom falls out.
Wanna know what "getting stoned" REALLY means? I'm your gal!
This past week I was feeling extremely ill. Went to the Urologist, I have a number of large stones that must be removed. In the next few weeks my Urologist will be scheduling at least two lithotripsies. A lithotripsy involves going under anesthesia and literally having your kidneys pummeled 6500 times each (yes you read that correctly), to break up the stones.
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| Amount of gumballs in machine resemble my kidneys on a daily basis photo from www.bing.com |
Then, you get to spend the next few weeks after that feeling like an old fashioned gum-ball machine.
I will never be stone-free. That is the nature of this condition. The secret is to keep them at a manageable size/level.
I will do my best to visit everyone as often as I possibly can, but if I am not around with the frequency that I would like, please do not take offense.
The more I think about it, this post sort of is about cats. Cats use cat litter, cat litter resembles the number of stones that permanently take up residence in my kidneys.
As you can see, my thinking is rather off the wall right now....
Like kidney stones, "this too, shall pass" Yes, pun intended.
OMG Caren, that's so awful! Talk about a rough week!!!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be thinking of you as you get lithotripsied this week. Oh, and Faraday offered to come over and pee on your laptop if it misbehaves again. -Lisa
@Lisa lol!! thanks for the laugh from Faraday!! The lithotripsies won't be til after next week for sure...unless I have a full blown hospital-sized attack by then! Thanks for the smile!
ReplyDeleteNeither my human nor I have heard of this condition - what an ordeal! At least you seem to be dealing with it with good humor. That's not all that common in a human.
ReplyDeleteHello Caren,so sorry that you have had a rough week but I am sending you lots of snuggles and some to cody too!as for you computer if it plays you up again I can always find something on it to nibble on!feel better soon!xxxxlove Speedy
ReplyDeleteAunty Caren,
ReplyDelete(((((HUGS))))) it's OK....you don't have to feel bad about not visiting. We've been guilty of the same too, sometimes. You hang on there, girlfriend. Have a blast... ooops...pun inintended. Wish I can send Curtis too soothe your pain. OMG!!! His surname is STONE. surreal... purrr...meow!
We had no idea such a condition exists. We hope the lithotipsies go smoothly.
ReplyDeleteWe hope your new laptop won't misbehave like what the HP did (Mommy had a HP before this and boy, did she want to flush it down the toilet many times).
I've had 1 kidney stone and that was enough. Hope the procedures come fast so you can feel better!
ReplyDeleteAwww lovely Caren!! Me and Charlie are sending you tons of purrs and hugs! We say step away from the computer and please please get better! Take care
ReplyDeletex
So you are literally stoned! That's without the nip! The litho thingy sounds miserable but necessary :( I hope you recover super quick and Cody will be there with the healing cuddles xox
ReplyDeleteAustin often has a night out on the tiles, but avoids the stones, generally. Oh and it's not PC to Pee on the PC (Faraday!!) lol
Geez, Caren...Ugh. And you're concerned about commenting? Never mind that, it's only blogging. Just please take care of yourself! Sending universal Light and the boys send purrs.
ReplyDelete(((Hugs)))
Don't ever worry about visiting my blog! Just take care of yourself. Do hope you'll be feeling better soon and glad you've got Cody and Dakota to give you love and support.
ReplyDeleteCaren, we are so sorry you have kidney stones, that sounds very painful and the cure (having your kidneys beat up) sounds just as bad to us. We are sending healing purrs and we know Cody is trying his best to make you feel better.
ReplyDeleteGlad your computer is fixed and a new laptop is on the way for you to enjoy.
Healing purrs and hugs and we understands if you don't have time to visit for awhile. We often get in the same boat.
We are so sorry you are going through all this Caren. You must feel terrible. I have heard that kidney stones were very painful. Sure hope you can get some relief. Also hope you can have a good weekend. Take care. Please don't worry about visiting us.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I can't imagine what you must go through. My husband gets the odd stone and it makes him sicker than heck. You just take care of you and don't worry about our blogs. I hope this passes quickly for you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh, Caren, you've had a very rough week, indeed! Please don't worry that we would ever take offense when you aren't around as much; we understand ... life sort of gets in the way sometimes. We will be thinking of you, dear friend, and purring and praying that the lithotripsies go as well as they possibly can.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Cody and Dakota.
Oh Caren - you poor girl. My heart goes out to you because talk about painful. Those stones are exactly that - then to have puter problems on top of it. Talk about a bad day - you had it - or several. I'm going to purr for you. Hope you can get your health problems squared away real soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about all of this, Caren, but especially about the kidney stones! Sending lots of healing energy and good wishes your way for a smooth and easy procedure and quick recovery.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Ingrid.
geez Caren I had no idea :( I know kidney stones can be very painful, and I give you a lot of credit for being strong and dealing with it! At least having Cody and Dakota as your "at home doctors" brings smiles to your face daily :)
ReplyDeleteFirst let me say how sorry I am that you are stoned again and I know that kidney pounding will help. We all send you purrs and hugs.
ReplyDeleteHP, if it is a laptop, doesn't know how to fix it. We've had ours replaced too and it did the same thing. The only way to avoid the cursor jumping and random deletions is to actually plug in a mouse and not use the touchpad at all.
all we can say is....ouch!! take care and know we are sending purrs.....and VERY gentle kisses
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhhh... Caren..... We are very distressed that you have all those stones in your kidneys... We are sending you lots and lots of purrrrrs and hope that when you start dispensing stones that they are all itty-bitty ones so it doesn't hurt..
ReplyDeleteWe love you.
pawhugs, Max, Bugsy and Knuckles
YIKES! Mommy says the "other" kind of stoned is much more fun...from what she remembers of it!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be purring like madcats for you to feel better...SOON!
Caren we are so sorry you have this - Mum had never heard of it before. It must be very ouchie and although the treatment sounds horrendous we hope it makes you feel much better.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Caren, so sorry to hear this. Sending good thoughts your way. Hope you feel better very soon!
ReplyDeleteOh Dog! I TOTALLY understand. We all have life issues. Yours sound mighty painful. Hang in there. xxx
ReplyDeleteYikes... that sounds absolutely dreadful, Caren! :( Sending all the good thoughts, virtual hugs, and healing energies your way, STAT!! xox
ReplyDeleteMiss Caren, enny tiem u cud use a bit uv sunshine ta take ur mind off purroblemz 'n ouchiez, jus drop by mai FB pagez... coz I'z alwayz good fur a giggle or two! ;D *kitteh kissez 'n bonks*
Oh Caren... I hope you're feeling at least a little bit better. My peep sends her very best wishes and my fur family & I are all sending a whole bunch of purrs, okay? Stand back... here they come.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am really sorry you have to go through that. It does not sound good. Take care and I'll send some purrs and hope they will help.
ReplyDeleteDear Caren!
ReplyDeleteOMG and Passover too! And the Shower! Yous just has been too busy for words! Me will send yous comforting purrs and wish yous all the best when yous gets your kidneys pummeled (when yous wakes up does yous feel like yous gone 10 rounds with Mohammed Ali?)
Me sends my loves and so does Mommy.
Kisses
Nellie
@Nellie OMG THANK YOU FOR making me laugh, AND @katnip lounge too! (yes what I remember of being "stoned" as well lol)...Nellie sometimes YES that is EXACTLY how you feel! You even get the bruises to boot! Thankfully no one is having a Seder tonight, we are going tomorrow night! :) I will be there no matter what.
ReplyDelete@Brian actually after 5 phone calls they did fix the problem. But...the supervisor was so nice (finally) and they were having a 50% off sale that i decided to order a laptop (that you can take 6 mos to pay for) so that this laptop will become my back-up should something happen. You are right that until I asked to speak to a supervisor the issue wasn't fixed!
@Julia thank you!
@Nerissa that was cute! Thank you!
@GlamKitty I might just do that! xoxoxo
@rumpydog you are right, we all do but I just wanted people to know I wasn't deliberately ignoring them
@unknown thank you!
@Hannah and lucy, yeah it isn't fun but many others have it much worse. The annoying part is they will never go away. You just deal with it and the good part? I have an amazing tolerance for pain lol xoxoxo
@Max, Bugsy and Knuckles, THANK YOU!! I pray that when they are smashed they are itty-bitty ones too! Trust me! xoxoxo
@Random Felines your "gentle" kisses are most welcome and deeply appreciated! xoxoxo
@CRichman thank you! They say next to childbirth they are the most painful thing you can experience. I have no children of my own but I have "given birth" (naturally lol) to at least 7 stones on my own!
@Ingrid thank you!! I am sorry about the stones too! :) xoxoxo
@Mario thank you!!! At least if I can get back to my cruising altitude that would be great! :)
@meowmeowmans you know I love you and thank you for your kind and heartwarming wishes!
@Bassetmomma ohhhh your poor husband! They are so much worse for men for obvious reasons!! Ouch!! Give him hugs from me!
@Marg thank you!! Yours is easy to keep up with because I get yours via email! :)
@Artemisia you are such a sweetheart...THANK YOU!
@Sue thank you! Well, I must say that Cody and Dakota aren't like my Angel Bobo. I think it is because they have each other. My Bobo used to not let me out of his sight when I was ill. Cody and Dakota? Not so much lol
@Fuzzy tales, your "light" and "purrs" are most appreciated!! Yep, "it's only blogging" WTF!!?? lol
@Carolyn HILARIOUS!!! Austin avoids the stones!!! THANK YOU!!
@Old Kitty, yes...I need to "step away from the computer" but have so much catching up to do. Please thank Charlie and I am sending you both many hugs and kisses!
@dawn you know what? Can't believe I am saying this but I hope they come fast too!
@Furrys I actually love my HP!! Have had very little aggravation up until this point. My new one is also an HP.
@Cat from Sydney.BWWWWAHHHH!! You have me grinning from ear to ear! CURTIS!! Never made the correlation about his last name being "Stone" omg too funny!!! And...have a BLAST...lol....you kill me!! xoxoxo
@Speedy thank you you adorable bunny!!! Hoping you are not too busy with Easter coming! xoxox
@Sparkle I try!!! Trust me, I don't always. i am just so used to this condition (was diagnosed when I was 40 so it has been a ROCKY road ever since!! lol
That computer mess is the least of your problems! Just don't even think about that now that it's been solved and don't think about blogs you've missed visiting because WE will always be HERE! We want you to just take care of yourself and feel better real soon. Major hugs and prayers coming your way!!
ReplyDeletePam and Sam
@Pam and Sammy THANK YOU!!!!
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo
OMC!!! The treatment sounds almost worse than the ailment. No need whatsoever to apologise if you don't visit. Your health is much more important. We send you purrs for those nasty little blighters to leave with as little pain as possible, and if you really must get stoned, nip is a far better way to do it. (For medicinal purposes only of course.)
ReplyDelete@Eric and Flynn..."nasty little blighters" I love it! Hmmm...."nip" for kidney stones? Now there's an idea!!! Thank you for your kind wishes!
ReplyDeleteWe're so sorry to hear about your continuous kidney stones.
ReplyDeleteOur mom asks for supervisors all the time now when she has to call tech support.
Truffle and Brulee
I really hope that the procedure goes okay for you, and that you are feeling better soon. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts!
ReplyDeleteAh Caren I sure am sorry for you! I hope you feel better!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Passover too!
Oh, dear, we're sorry you're not feeling well. That doesn't sound very comfortable. We hope you feel better. Wish it was curable.
ReplyDeleteShould we send get well wishes or a bereavement message for your computer?
Oh dear! I agree with everyone & don't worry about visiting & commenting. I am sending some healing hugs to help with the stones ( ouch those buggers hurt!) & I have had more than enough of puter probs... I have a desk top on my 3rd. my first 2 were HP & after just under a year & about sixty billon calls to tech support that I documented, many w/supers they finally agreed to replace it, but back at the store. but then there was new ones out & of course I upgraded. they still get your $$. Is this the procedure that they use ultra sound too burst the stones? will keep you in my prayers! Faythe @ GMT
ReplyDeleteGirl,you are SO in my prayers. I had forgotten you suffer from this awful condition. I sure will be thinking Pawsitive thoughts for you all week and please let me know how surgery goes. Cody, you take good care of Mama. LOVE the picture..gonna get me a t-shirt made of that:D..Please take care and I wish those kidney stones were golden and we could cash them in and go to NYC together!!!<3 and ((((hugz))))Sue and Rosie.
ReplyDeleteWow! Do you feel like tearing your hair out when the computer problems happen? I know that I do!
ReplyDelete@catball, yes but the kidney stones are much worse.
ReplyDelete@Rosie and Sue, love the idea of cashing in on "golden" stones. Wonderful! Not sure when he is gonna do the lithos, i will know more after CT Scan on Tuesday. xoxoxo
@Faythe thank you! My HP's have basically been good. I think all computers are designed now to not last more than 2 yrs without problems. Then, couple that with using it incessantly (as you well know) that makes it worse. The lithos are a machine that literally pummels you 6500 times. It beats you. Literally.
@Jan you are funny!! The current computer is working pretty well now. A new one is on it's way. My current one will become a backup.
@Meg thank you so much!
@Cynthia thanks so much, not sure when they will be, I have a feeling one of them will be in the next week or so. Will know more after my CT Scan on Tues.
@Sweet Purrfections thank you! I think from now on I will always ask for a supervisor too. Thank you about the stones as well!
So sorry to hear about this nasty condition you're having to deal with. I can only imagine how painful it must be. : (
ReplyDeleteKatie is sending some healing purrs your way. (I know, you probably thought she was only capable of hissing...occasionally she surprises me though.) And I'm sending prayers and positive vibes your way.
As for the computer woes, alas I only have three letters for you. Sorry...I know this will fall on deaf ears, but I can't help myself. It's in my blood.
Mac.
; ) xoxo, Glogirly
I haven't had time to visit much lately either and that's why I'm just now reading your gum-ball condition... and I'm very sorry to read about it! but yes, this shall pass! purring for you and sending lots of hugs, xoxo, and headbutts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so behind on my blog reading... I'm so sorry to hear about your kidney stones. I hope that you're feeling better now instead of like a human gumball machine.
ReplyDeleteAlso... I enjoyed the "this too shall pass" joke. :)